Swansea’s alt-folk troupe, Dark and Twisties, have released their dazzling and daring debut album, Ungrateful Women, as of 19 December, and it couldn’t have arrived at a better time.
‘This Time’ is a song to rekindle your fire when you’ve gone and hit the brink. Honouring the quiet days and tender hearts, this track tends to the messy aftermath of picking yourself up off the pavement. With soaring strings and luminous vocal harmonies, ‘This Time’ has a sonic solace that only folk can muster.
‘Questions’ is the internal monologue we all want but lack the self-compassion for. Like a conversation with a best friend, ‘Questions’ has more than a few mantras to ponder. With ornate instrumentals and sublime vocals, this song perfectly maintains a confident yet delicate balance with a fierce sincerity.
‘The Wild’ is a lively choral arrangement that casts the same aura as a jovial romp through the forest. With hope on their heels and the fae closely behind, ‘The Wild’ is uninhibited feral joy. Cheerful and bold, this track has just the spirit we need for the cold, grey winter ahead.
‘Procrastination’ is a cheeky, fun escape into doing fuck all. Knowing full well what this sets us up for, ‘Procrastination’ leans into the freedom and openness before us when we push that chore off, for just a little while. While not taking itself too seriously, this track is a burst of fresh air in our constant, overproductive, hustle culture.
‘Flags’ is quite a stirring political critique to end the album. Utilizing the percussive hallmarks of a military march, racism, sexism, and capitalism are cast into the open as the substandard pillars upholding the ‘othering’ nature of our modern governments. Commanding and unafraid, ‘Flags’ asks us all to be vigilant against hate-fuelled nationalist propaganda.
From comfort to laughter to protest, the Dark and Twisties show the multitude of their musical angles on Ungrateful Women. Their vocals are astounding throughout, and it seems their instrument list knows no bounds. From ukelele to glockenspiel, to viola, harp, banjo, and more, Ungrateful Women’s sound is varied and adept. Well-rounded and diverse, Dark and Twisties have made one hell of a debut.
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